Crystal Palace could soon welcome back Jean-Philippe Mateta after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, according to reports from standard-football.
The French striker has been sidelined since August with a hamstring problem picked up shortly before the Eagles' 4-1 loss to Manchester City. Mateta had featured in Palace's opening-day defeat to Everton, playing 63 minutes in a 2-0 reverse, but has not appeared for the club since suffering the setback.
His prolonged absence means the 29-year-old is expected to miss out on selection for Zinedine Zidane's first squad as France head coach ahead of the international break.
Mateta's season has already been shaped by uncertainty surrounding his future at Selhurst Park. In January, a proposed switch to AC Milan on transfer deadline day collapsed after the striker failed a medical that uncovered a knee issue. Mateta opted against surgery to address the problem, instead working his way back to full fitness.
That recovery proved worthwhile, as he went on to score the decisive goal in Palace's Conference League final triumph in May, securing the club's first major European trophy. His form and fitness were further rewarded with a call-up to France's squad for the World Cup, where Les Bleus advanced to the semi-finals in North America.
Despite his heroics last season, Palace had been willing to let Mateta leave this summer amid interest from elsewhere, including a £25million bid from Aston Villa that the club turned down. Any potential departure, however, was halted once the striker sustained his hamstring injury before the new campaign got underway.
Complicating matters further, it emerged in August that Mateta had sought to have the final year of his Palace contract declared invalid. That challenge was rejected by both a Premier League tribunal and FIFA, meaning the striker remains contracted to the club for now. Nonetheless, with his deal set to expire next summer, Mateta will be free to negotiate with other clubs and depart on a free transfer when his current terms run out.
For Palace, the priority in the short term will be reintegrating one of their most influential attacking players as they continue their domestic campaign. Mateta's importance to the side was evident throughout last season, culminating in his match-winning contribution in the Conference League final, and his return to fitness would represent a significant boost for Oliver Glasner's squad as they look to build on that success.
The timing of his comeback remains to be confirmed, but the expectation is that Mateta will not be involved during the upcoming international window, given the extent of his recovery from the hamstring issue. Palace will be eager to have their talisman back in contention as soon as possible, particularly given the uncertainty that continues to surround his long-term future at the club.
With his contract situation still unresolved and no fresh terms agreed, questions will persist over whether Mateta extends his stay at Selhurst Park beyond this season or moves on once his current deal expires. For now, though, the focus remains on getting the Frenchman back on the pitch and contributing to Palace's ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
Based on reporting from standard-football.